Could You Be Cornwall’s Next Sporting Star? GSF Awards Open for 2025

Applications are now open for the 2025 GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) awards, offering a vital boost for athletes in Cornwall aiming to reach new heights. The awards, part of the UK’s largest athlete support programme, provide financial help, access to top-tier sport facilities, physiotherapy, lifestyle mentoring, and mental health wellbeing support.

Supporting Cornwall’s Sporting Talent

In 2024, 116 athletes in Cornwall were awarded nearly £70,000 worth of support. Among them were some of the county’s standout talents, including world top-ten canoeist Benjamin Cabrera, target sprint shooter Caitlin Keaney, Grade 1 para dressage rider Felicity Marriott, and Paralympian triathlete Melissa Reid, who secured silver at the 2023 ISA World Surfing Games.

Public Backing for Young Athletes

Research conducted by OnePoll on behalf of GSF in November 2024 highlights strong public support for young athletes. Two-thirds of the 2,000 people surveyed (66%) believe more should be done to help young sporting talent, while over a quarter (27%) agree that sport provides valuable opportunities for young people from underprivileged backgrounds.

A Decade of Life-Changing Support

The GLL Sport Foundation, operating under the Better brand, is a not-for-profit social enterprise managing nine leisure centres in Cornwall on behalf of Cornwall Council. Community Sport Manager Karen Edmond expressed pride in the scheme’s impact:

“It’s a real privilege to see the difference GSF awards can make in helping talented sportsmen and women achieve their potential,” said Karen.

“The scheme is now in its seventeenth year, and thousands of athletes in Cornwall and beyond have benefited from the wide-ranging support available during that time. Sporting success is a great source of national pride, and I’m proud to be part of an organisation that actively encourages sporting excellence in such a practical, hands-on way.”

How to Apply

The deadline for GSF award applications is 20th February 2025. Aspiring athletes can find more information and apply by visiting the GLL Sport Foundation website.

With life-changing support available, the GSF awards could be the opportunity that turns your sporting dreams into reality.

Photo: Last year’s GSF awards recipients in Cornwall